Austin Texas, Oh How I Love You.

The gift of going to school in Austin has always been one of my favorite blessings. How could you not love spending every afternoon here?   Like every other TEXAS grad, Tim and I always say 'someday' Austin will be home again.

Our June trip brought back several amazing memories from college.  Usually we have 500 things to do when we are in town.  This trip we planed lake time and Urban Assault.  Much more low key than usual.  For the first time Tim and I decided to tow the boat to Austin.  We blew out a tire on the way down, (the joys of boat ownership) but other than that we made it ok.  Friday B-Ray, Armstrong, Jake, Clint, Tim and I headed out on the water.  Here is Billy showing of his rope swing skills.  (sorry I couldn't figure out how to turn it right side up)

After our evening on the lake we headed to Hula Hut.  Ah, old times.  Before we got there we had adventures of where to park the boat.  Because I am good at thinking things through, I figured we would just find some place in Tarrytown and leave it.  No big deal, right?  What I didn't think out was that Tarrytown is full of Hills.  After driving around for 30 min we found a flat surface.  Luckily it was one street over from a friend's house.  The neighbor was outside, so we just told her our friends lived across the way, but they lived on the hill... did she mind if we parked there?  She thanked us for asking and watched the boat over night.  Win. 

On our way out of our 'late night' dinner we ran into this gem:

Splatter painted inside and out.  Even the grill & rims.  Awesome. 

In college, at this point, we would have headed down to 6th.  Oh how times have changed. 

11:30 once = time to head downtown (swimsuit, cover-up, and all; why I love Austin #402). 

11:30 now = and hour and a half past my bed time. 

Saturday started with a little food trailer action.  Mighty Cone may be one of the best inventions ever!

I had Chicken and Fried Avocado, and Tim had Shrimp and Fried Avocado.  If this were in Dallas, I'm pretty sure we would stop there on the way to the lake every weekend!  Food trailers on the Boat Ramp @ Lewisville??? someone get on that.  I want 10%

We eventually made it to the water, with only a few more boat owner errors. While Tim was parking I had the joy of witnessing this. 

I knew a guy in college who worked for these Duck tours, but I never really saw one.  I have to say I started cracking up when I heard "splish splash I'm taking a bath" as this bus plows full speed into the water.  Hilarious.  The crowd on the bus was an added bonus.

The rest of our day was pretty adventurous.  Even mom surfed!

That night we FINALLY tried out Moonshine.  Check out the best appetizer ever.  Corn dog Shrimp!

After that we made the mistake of ordering our favorite entrees at Z Tejas to see how they compared.  Even though the restaurant was great, they can't touch Z's NY Strip or Mac'n Cheese.  I do however have high hopes for their brunch.  Next Trip!

Sunday we took on the Urban Assault.  Pretty much the best race ever. 

Here are some of the adventures of

Team Handshake- Cril & Jake,

The Spider Monkeys- Tim & I, and

No Fear- Dad & B-Ray

At the end of the weekend we were sad to say goodbye to Austin, but I'm sure we will see you again soon!

Home Bodies

I am so excited that Tim and I will wake up in our own bed again this weekend.  We were both pretty excited to be home two weeks ago, but I may have let my excitement get the best of me.  I created a monster.  I have become used to the fact that if we are home, Tim is getting breakfast in bed.   What I am not used to is being sent back if breakfast is not on a cart. 

Here are my two little beggars.

When Tim does not get breakfast in bed, I always have good excuses.  Here are some of them:

Jenny turned 30 & Jeff did a great job with the surprise!

The next day Ashley had a pool party @ her new house

Then we left for St. Marten with the Family.

These are just a couple of the 300 pics I took :) 

Our first weekend back, Tim headed out to the country for Scott's bachelor party & I headed to the lake with some ladies.  Luckily, Tim got home earlier than expected, so he and Jonny joined us on the water.

With Tim traveling so much with work I got the chance to take a Souffle class @ central market.

Then I attempted to re-create the magic at home

I'm not going to lie, I am pretty proud of myself :)

The last event for this post is Coleman Rodeo.  Billy has found his home in the country.

Tim and I had a great time at the Rodeo.

Just in case it wasn't obvious enough, this picture was taken just after I asked the cowboy to bring his horse over for a picture because "we are from the city".  What is wrong with me?

It was great to finally get the chance to meet several of Billy's new friends and see Coleman. 

Billy and I woke up early Saturday morning and ran the Rodeo Race.

Tim & Jake followed us around in the car.

We both won our respective divisions.  Its now Cowtown or White Rock, but not bad for not training!

Until next time...

<3

Christina

Playing Catch Up

This weekend has been Awesome.  Tim and I have both woken up, both mornings, in our bed... for the first time in over two and a half months.   Needless to say it has been a wonderful, but busy summer.  Here is a taste of what we have been up to.

The Easter Bunny came, and brought the boys some summer style.

As much as I hate to admit it, Tim won the Thomas Family Easter Egg hunt for the second year in a row.  Considering I had won several years in a row prior to his streak,

this is a bit of a hit to the ego.

*****

The next week Tim and his boyfriend Barry kicked off summer with a sweet little couples trip to Destin.

 (once they figured out how to get there)

 

They especially loved the EV.

Their time on the beach together.

Doing Toe Touches

And posing for some cute couples pics.

I'm pretty sure they forgot they brought ladies with them :)

Here is the group at The Hilton where Sara and Barry will be Tying the Knot in May.

I laughed more on this trip than I have in a long time.  Here are a few of the things that made it difficult for me to refrain from peeing my pants.   

(which may or may not have actually happened on the last night)

45min. of 'jump picture' taking & this is the best we got

The Omelet that would not go away.

The Fight For Love

and Banana Rides

I can't wait for next year!

****

The next weekend was the Kentucky Derby. 

Tim and I went to a TAG charity event at a beautiful home in Dallas. 

 Here we are in our Derby 'Get Up'

I actually tied his bow tie :)

We ended up being pretty lucky that day.  We bet on "Mucho Macho Man" who came in third, and ended up winning an Iron Chef Dinner for 10 friends. 

Is it bad we didn't have time to schedule it until September 24?

I have so much more to write about, but it's time for my favorite 5 year old's Birthday Party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

Maybe catch-up part 2 will get done tonight.... maybe

Still to come:

Lots of Lake Weekends

St. Marten

Thunder Bunnies

Crawfish

Dad's 60th

Coleman Rodeo

Urban Assault

4th of July

I told B-Ray I would get caught up by the end of this weekend.  At this rate, It may be next year. 

Until next time....

Christina